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Headlight Motor Direction Problem

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Old 09-03-2013 | 04:54 PM
  #31  
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The motor is dead easy to pull apart- you just remove the rubber boot, undo the cover screws and the wiper face is revealed.

If when rotating in one specific direction the motor just keeps rotating then clearly nothing is switching it off thus I would suspect the element of the relay that is assigned this task. I doubt it is the wiper contact and still think you need to focus on the combination relay until that has been eliminated from the equation.

Regards

Fred
Old 09-03-2013 | 05:28 PM
  #32  
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So how do I clean or check the relay? I can go ahead and order one for $150 but I'd rather see if the one I have can just be cleaned and put back in service.
Old 09-03-2013 | 08:00 PM
  #33  
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I got the relay out. It appears to be stamped 18 09 1989 on the top. Looks like that could be september 18th, 1989? That means if it is the relay, it lasted for almost 24 years. Not bad.
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Last edited by jeff spahn; 09-03-2013 at 08:20 PM.
Old 09-03-2013 | 08:15 PM
  #34  
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tried cleaning a relay assembly once... it didn't work. It's better to just replace it.
Old 09-04-2013 | 05:26 AM
  #35  
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Jeff,

I dare say someone who knows what they are doing could pull it apart and rebuild/replace the duff bits but that is probably beyond most of us.

I do recommend you ask a friend to let you try substitution before shelling out $150 - it is a simple test and only takes a few minutes of effort before you know yeah or nay! Last thing you want/need is to fit a new one and still have the same problem unlikely as it currently seems to me.

That the actuator motor is traveling bi-directionally suggests to me there is little [most probably nothing] wrong with that component.

Regards

Fred
Old 09-04-2013 | 07:14 AM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by jeff spahn
I got the relay out. It appears to be stamped 18 09 1989 on the top. Looks like that could be september 18th, 1989? That means if it is the relay, it lasted for almost 24 years. Not bad.
The scary bit is when you realise just how many functional parts there are on the car that could fail and then try to work out the cost to replace them all!

Regards

Fred
Old 09-04-2013 | 09:30 AM
  #37  
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Yep Fred. I did that and it is staggering just to begin the number crunching. The headlight failure alone could cost me almost $2000 if it took out the AC condenser and the motor failed.

If the AC condenser's nicks do end up leaking I am just doing to have them brazed shut.

I have a new used relay coming from 928 INTL.
Old 09-10-2013 | 12:39 AM
  #38  
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So I solved the problem but not before the arm went through my condenser. Not such a bummer because I bought a used on on eBay for $45 delivered. Pics look nice and I can get it pressure tested and cleaned first. A plus I guess is my A/C will get a nice evac and charge and be perfect so gotta look on the bright side huh?

So here's what the problem turned out to be.
I had ordered a daylight running light relay from Roger that turned my foglights on for DRLs. Apparently on the 90S4 it makes the motor continue to run and run and run in the up position when the car isn't running. That's a bad thing.
I pulled the DRL relay and the old factory relay made the lights work perfectly up and down but the damage to the condenser had already been done. Bummer.

Now a side note that hopefully someone can chime in on is the Fog Lights no longer function. I wonder if the relay is burnt out that controls them?
They work with the DRL relay but not without.

I am going to also see if my other condenser can be fixed and sell that one cheap to recoup the cost of the used on I purchased or perhaps just put it in the attic and use it for a spare.
Old 09-10-2013 | 01:23 AM
  #39  
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It certainly shouldn't do that!!

But this gives me an idea for another rennlister's problem...

Alan
Old 09-10-2013 | 01:32 AM
  #40  
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Jeff,

Are your fog lights the only thing that does not work? Does your a/c blower work? And your cooling fans? If not, check your Ignition-X relay.
Old 09-10-2013 | 01:45 AM
  #41  
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All the other things worked before I pulled the DRL relay out. I used the AC today, until the arm hit the condenser that is. I can't check right now as I had to take the condenser out to be repaired/replaced.

Last edited by jeff spahn; 09-10-2013 at 01:46 AM. Reason: add stuff
Old 09-10-2013 | 01:53 AM
  #42  
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Jeff - Your DRL relay is busted - the diode that is supposed to be in the coil circuit either isn't there or is short circuited... you can test this - relay should conduct with continuity tester between 86 (+) -> 85 but not 85 (+) -> 86. I think you will find yours conducts both ways...

USA/(Canada?) Fog lights don't work when high-beam is on but other than that if the DRL's work and the fogs don't it pretty much has to be the fog relay or the fog switch.

Alan
Old 09-10-2013 | 01:59 AM
  #43  
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Alan
I can say the fog relay was pretty warm tonight after I pulled the DRL relay. Perhaps that is an indication. What would I test on that relay to see if it is good?
Fog lights worked the other day with the headlight relay out (DRL relay was running them) perhaps that caused some damage to one or both?
Old 09-10-2013 | 03:30 AM
  #44  
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They are installed in parallel driving the lights - the DRL relay shouldn't cause any problems for the fog light relay - even if it fails - so maybe just coincidence here...

The foglight relay is just a standard 53B type - so swap with the horn... both to test it and to see if a good relay fixes your fog issue...

Alan
Old 09-10-2013 | 07:34 AM
  #45  
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Given a choice of an electrical problem on your 928 or having holes drilled in your front teeth without an anaesthetic [Marathon Man style] which would you pick?

Regards

Fred


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